How to Restore an Old Concrete Floor I

2018-11-22

-- Selecting the right grinder

An old concrete floor typically require some surface preparation prior to polishing to remove old material and prepares the substrate to receive the new coating.

Normally this floor has been covered with tile, carpet, paint or epoxy. This means the floor surface is probably covered with glue, paint, and/or leveling compound, which all needs to be removed. If the material and old adhesive are not removed properly, the final floor will not in a desired results.

Therefore, let’s follow the next steps and get ready for your floor surface prep.

Selecting the right grinder

Choosing the right grinder is a key part of surface prep to restore an old concrete floor. There are several factors should be taken into consideration which can affect the operator and the floor.

First, the size of grinder and jobsite. The heavier the machine, the more it will grind. The weight enables the machine to keep the diamond tools in contact with the concrete, and to remove the material quickly and efficiently. The size of the floor will help determine what size of grinder to use. If the floor is small, such as a garage or home basement, a small single disc grinder is sufficient. If the floor is a department store, warehouse or other large area, a large multiple-disc grinder is more efficient.

Second, the power source must be considered. Grinding machines come in 115-volt single-phase, 220-volt single-phase, 240-volt three-phase and 480-volt three-phase power. Most single-phase machines can be powered by a residential or commercial buildings, while three-phase machines might have to be powered by a generator because they are generally more powerful and uses power more efficiently than a single-phase machine.

Third, determining the final surface is key to selecting the right grinder. The single disc grinders are play a role in removing an old surface covering in anticipation of a new covering or treatment. Their high RPMs remove tough coverings, such as glue, paint, older concrete, leveling compound and even epoxy easily. After grinding, the surface is level, free from debris and is just rough enough to bond with new floor coverings. However, they might not be the best choice for polishing. The single-speed and high RPMs can wear out the diamond tooling quickly and the single head might also leave heavy scratches.   

Multiple disc, or planetary machines, with multiple heads and variable speed are much better for polishing. These separate actions give the operator more control and ultimately help refine the scratch pattern from step to step. This ensures a smooth, consistent surface.

Last but not least, grinder with a vacuum system is also very important. Concrete grinding creates a lot of concrete dust which can be potentially hazardous if inhaled for a long period of time. The use of a vacuum system that efficiently filters fine particles protects operators and the surrounding environment.

All in all, if you prepare to restore an old concrete floor, selecting the right grinder is essential. Thinking about the factors during choose the grinding machine.

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